5 days after trek

The first few days after trek were quite unusual. We had all gotten so used to getting up early and packing our bags that to finally have our own time was surreal. It was strange not having to get in the van and being told where we were going today, instead we woke up and had nothing to do. Hannah left on the first day to go meet a friend and travel to San Francisco so I was pretty down. Dave, Sara and I headed out to explore the city of Los Angeles since we didn’t get a chance before we left for the tour. We headed down to Venice Beach which took ages, two buses and a long walk. But Venice Beach was great, exactly how you see it on television and in movies. We walked down the beach having a look at the market stalls. We walked all the way down to Santa Monica Pier and had a look around the small theme park. We had a game of mini golf the headed back towards the street. By this time we were stuffed so we jumped in a cab and made back for the hotel. We couldn’t believe how expensive the cab was, $60, we were miles away. When we returned to the hotel we hung around for a bit then again went for dinner and drinks and the strange diner down the road.

The next day we were off to Universal Studios, we all jumped out of bed and quickly got ready, we all couldn’t wait. We took public transport and it took at least 2 hours to get there. After finally arriving at Universal Studios we bought tickets and headed inside. We spend all day long in this amazing theme park going on almost every ride it was so much fun. Soon enough though Sara had to leave and catch a flight home, it was another sad goodbye as slowly our trek group was diminishing. Afterwards the few of us remaining went on the famous Universal Studio back lot tour. We were driven around on a train through real sets which were used in many different movies. The tour was fantastic, maybe the best attraction in the park. Afterwards it was also time to leave since the park was closing, we had a choice of either The Mummy Ride or Terminator 2 3D, we chose Terminator 2, it was pretty cool but I was a little upset I didn’t actually get to go on The Mummy Ride. We tried earlier but they closed it due to a fault just as we were at the front of the line.

For the remaining few days in Los Angeles we were all too lazy to really do anything. Everyone had left and the few of us left were trying to change our flights to go home early. I called and called but wasn’t able to. We were there for Halloween and were supposed to meet up with another trek group and go out but they never contacted us so we trick or treated the reception guy and went back to our room. When we had nothing to do usually we just watched hotel movies in someone’s room. Hannah returned and we went out for drinks then the next day it was time for me to leave, I said my teary goodbyes and took the free shuttle to LAX airport. I sat listening to my ipod thinking about the amazing life-changing trip I have just done. After a ridiculously long flight we were getting close to Melbourne, when suddenly the pilot decided that we needed to stop in Sydney. No one on the plane was allowed to get off, we sat there for around an hour then finally set off for Melbourne. I arrived at 8AM in the morning and my parents and Tom were waiting for me, I was back home.

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